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High-end South African design on show

19 January 2012

South African creativity is blossoming, and there's no better place to experience it than at the Design Indaba Expo 2012, SA's premier showcase of homegrown, high-end design - this year boasting an additional 1 000 square metres of floorspace.

Taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 2 to 4 March, the ninth annual Design Indaba Expo will see many designers launching new work to the South African public.

With just over 210 confirmed exhibitors, of whom almost 25 percent are showing their designs for the first time, the 2012 Design Indaba Expo is proof of the wide-ranging creative prowess of South African designers across various fields, including craft, product design furniture, jewellery, fashion, film, publishing, new media, architecture and graphic design.

'Only the best in SA design'

"We're working hard to bring only the best in SA design to the Expo and are gratified that our efforts have paid off with stands selling particularly fast this year," says Kelly Berman, manager of Design Indaba Expo.

"Expect a fresh new approach in the DStv Events Arena and artisanal food from the Neighbourgoods Market. And bring your wallet, as there will be lots of things to go home with," says Berman.

"We're confident this is going to be another example of how creativity can be an economic catalyst in South Africa."

For the fashionistas, there will be 10 daily fashion shows in the DStv Events Arena, hosted by the Cape Town Fashion Council (CTFC).

New ranges

Unveiling new ranges will be Amanda Laird Cherry, Suzaan Heyns, Lunar, Magents, Coast & Koi, Good Clothing, Ministry of Style, Silverspoon, Selfi and Mosewamosa. The designers will also show their work on the Expo floor under the CTFC umbrella.

Expo visitors have unlimited access to events in the arena, which will become a hub of creative activity with an exciting line-up of musicians, comedians, performers and Pecha Kucha-style presentations.

The ever-popular children's workshops – in the newly rebranded D.I.Y. (Design Indaba Youth) Zone – prove it's never too early to teach design thinking, with courses on robotics, poster design and graffiti art taught by talented practitioners in the field. The Emerging Creatives section, sponsored by the Department of Arts and Culture, will feature a diverse and promising group of talented graduates.

Visitors to the show will be able to vote for the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa. After visiting the stand and seeing all 10 objects nominated by design and style editors, from Suzaan Heyns' golden fish-scale dress to the angular copper-clad Hapo Museum, they will be able to SMS their choice.

Buyers' Day

This year also launches the first full Buyers' Day on Thursday, 1 March. "We made this a priority for 2012 after exhibitor feedback over the years indicated they needed a dedicated day to focus on making contact with buyers, taking wholesale orders and talking business," explained Berman.

Over 400 local and international buyers attended the Expo last year, placing orders totalling R141-million (up from R123-million in 2010).

In 2011, the Design Indaba Expo welcomed some 38 000 visitors through the doors, resulting in a GDP contribution of R261-million, the bulk of which comprised business orders. These impressive figures were determined by an external economic impact assessment undertaken by the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town.

The Design Indaba Expo 2012 is open to the public from Friday, 2 March, to Sunday, 4 March, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Tickets are available at the door or through Computicket, from 1 February.

HOURS

COST

SAinfo reporter